Yamim 2014 - Journey of a People

April 22, 2014

Spring brings not only sun and warmer weather, but three community events called the Yamim or “Days” in Hebrew. These events commemorate three profound experiences for the Jewish people.

Yom HaShoah on April 27 at 3pm. commemorates the Holocaust and features keynote speaker Eli Rosenbaum. Mr. Rosenbaum is the longest-serving prosecutor and investigator of Nazi criminals and other perpetrators of human rights violations in world history, having worked on these cases at the U.S. Department of Justice for nearly twenty-five years. A new feature this year is a Teen Program planned by BBYO, USY, and NFTY at 1pm before the main program.

Yom HaZikaron, on Sunday May 4 at 6pm, is Israel’s Remembrance Day in honor of her fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 1st Lt. Leah Hylo, who came to Israel from Ethiopia will help the community give a special honor to Ethiopian Jews who serve in the IDF.

Yom HaAtzmaut celebrates Israel’s Independence Day from 5 – 7pm on Tuesday May 6. Highlights include the Walk for Israel at 4pm, food from Chicago’s Mizrachi Grill and activities including creating a graffiti art wall, a chocolate making demo, camel rides, and an Israeli art fair.

We are honored to coordinate the Yamim with the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and have the support of many organizations, synagogues, and individuals. For the first time all three events are being coordinated and presented together to the community with the theme “Journey of a People.”